_______________

My Fave-5 Blogs

_______________

Unless otherwise stated, all text and images reflected on this site are the exclusive property of RachelsRambles.com and its author/owner, Rachel Allene Carpenter. Do not copy, borrow, or otherwise take ownership of this property without crediting and/or obtaining the explicitly written consent of the author. All rights reserved.

declutter

Well, I’ve really been at it and have successfully wowed myself with the amount of stuff I’ve been able to bid adieu. So far, I’ve let go of 89 items and have plans to part with another 14 in the near future. I’m sure these numbers will continue to rise as I move along.

Goodbye,

(3) Steel Measuring Cups

Measuring Spoons on a Ring

Large Soup Pot

Casserole Pan

Bread Pan

(3) Mugs

Steak knife

(3) Butter Knives

(2) Forks

(2) Spoons

Serving Spoon

Potato Masher

(2) Plates

(2) Bowls

Wooden Bowl

(2) Mini-Tupperware w/ Lids

Cleaning Supplies Basket

Cleaning Supplies Bag

(2) Hot Pads

(2) Vases

Scrubbie

Pencil

(2) Pens

Coffee Jar

(5) Hangers

(3) Pairs of Socks

Scarf

(2) Journals

Book

Skirt

(6) Bits & Bobs

Lamp

Photo Album

Broom w/ Dust Pan

Drying Rack

Exercise Band

Wrist Brace

Board Game

Anne of Green Gables DVD Boxset

Screwdriver

Large Bathroom Bag for Travel

Laptop Sleeve

Wooden Chest

Diploma Case

Bible

Pocketwatch

Envelope of Paper Memories

Blanket

Easter Drama DVD Recording

Shipping Supplies

Extra Nokia Smart Watch Band

(2) ACE Bandages

Thermometer

Snow Brush

Ice Scraper

(2) Storage Bins

(2) Reusable Grocery Bags

(2) Sunglasses

I can’t say that I’ll miss ya.

The other fourteen things I plan to let go of are sticking around until I use up what’s in ’em, or purchase the thing(s) that will let me downsize them.

2 Lamps and a Coffee Table in my living room will be replaced with 2 Lamps w/ Built in Shelves = 1 item purged

Spice Rack needs emptied/eaten up = 1 item purged

Mason Jars and one recycled Pickle Jar that hold food/cleaning/hygiene stuff in them (which I never use) will either be intentionally used or emptied and donated by 9/31 = 4 items purged

1 Lamp and a Charging Station Table will be replaced with 1 Lamp w/ Built in Shelves = 1 item purged

Books that will be read by 9/31 or parted with = 3 items purged

Scale will bid adieu after my monthly passes and I get a final weigh-in (then I will force myself to stop obsessing and just build healthier habits in general) = 1 item purged

Extra new toothbrushes that will be in use and/or given to someone else by 9/31 = 2 items purged

Shower curtain and liner will be replaced with a mildew-resistant curtain that can act as both = 1 item purged

So what’s left?

I’ve decided to start and maintain a page on my blog that lists out everything I own (you can check it out here). This may seem a bit “extra” (okay it’s a lot extra, but whatever, it’s my life), but I think the hassle of having to add stuff will easily conquer any urges to rebuild the hoard.

That said, going through everything I own again has also showed me something very important: a lot of my stuff is fairly worn out and needs replaced, and there are some gaps that I should probably get around to filling.

So I’ve started an “Approved Shopping List” of items that I need to get to help with the above downsizing, and to help fill the gaps. You’ll see what I mean when you read it.

On the bright side, I did take inventory of my belongings again. To be precise, it was on the second day of my officially WiFi-less world. I awoke at a dark and early 5:00 AM and jumped out of bed, ready to.. well.. be bored until I came up with something.

That something turned out to be a crazed rushing around my apartment, scribbling of notes like a mad scientist, moving furniture around to make sure nothing was missed, breaking a sweat and remembering how severely out of shape I am, the quick jaunt of showering and prepping for the day, and finally, scurrying off to work and transferring all my lunatic scribbles to the gorgeous OCD beauty of excel spreadsheets.

See the gorgeousness??

My fresh inventory revealed that I have passed my goal of purging 50% of my belongings. To be specific…

But it also revealed my lack of contentedness with this number. 371 still feels a bit.. extra.

I know, I know.

371 belongings isn’t really that much. This is especially true in comparison to the 300,000 estimated for the average American household.

But.

It still feels claustrophobic.

And each one of those 371 items feels like a weight on my feet, something tethering me to the earth and restraining me from reaching potential. Any potential. All potential.

So, since I suddenly have all this free time from lack of WiFi and I’ve always been a bit dramatic (okay, a lot dramatic), I’ve decided to really analyze every single belonging, and purge until I get that number below the 300 mark.

It’s likely that when I hit this number, I’ll still feel like I have too much and want to downsize again. I recognize that I have a problem.

I just think it’s a good problem to have.

And as of now, 300 seems like a good number to work towards.

So here’s what I want to do: for the next five days, I will tackle a room or my beloved Ronnie (my Toyota RAV4, if you’re new around these parts).

I’ve debated how to share the Great Purge stats with y’all. I was going to share room by room, but things have continually shifted, so the data wouldn’t reflect accurately. With that being the case, I’ve decided to share by genre. I think this will help keep things on the up and up and provide a neat and tidy overview of the result!

Let’s dive right in, shall we?

Genre: Furniture

November 2017

March 2018

Bed Frame

1

Bed Frame

1

Box Spring

1

Mattress

1

Mattress

1

Desk Chair

1

Bedside Table

1

Wingback Chair

1

Wingback Chair

1

Couch

1

Jesus Chair

1

Coffee Table

1

Couch

1

TV Stand

1

Book Case

1

Memory Chest

1

Coffee Table

1

Memory Chest

1

Blanket ladder

1

Table

1

Chairs

2

Shelving Unit

1

TOTAL:

15

TOTAL:

8

As you can see, I did away with my dining table and chairs, the book shelves (no longer needed due to my substantially smaller book collection), and the Jesus Chair. Unfortunately the chair was falling apart, so it had to go. No worries though, I still get ample Jesus time. 🙂 I was also able to part with the dreaded box spring — and holy cow lemme tell you what a workout it is to destroy one of those things. Took about half an hour and the aftermath was carnage, sweat, and blood (loads of splinters y’all- get some gloves if you’re gonna tackle this). I also realized that even though I had a bedside table, I was never using it. It just sat there taking up white space – so adiós it went.

Genre: Storage/Organizing Containers/Things

November 2017

March 2018

Storage Baskets

4

Storage Baskets

6

Storage Jars

9

Storage Jars

2

Storage Boxes

2

Storage Boxes

1

Storage Bin

4

Tooth Brush Holder

1

Storage Container

2

Shirt Hangers

28

Shower Caddy

1

Skirt Hangers

6

Tooth Brush Holder

1

Shirt Hangers

50

Skirt Hangers

10

Desk Organizer

1

Slide Shelves

2

TOTAL:

86

TOTAL:

44

Okay, so that was boring and doesn’t need much commentary. Suffice it say that downsizing stuff means downsizing your need for places to put stuff. I will say that I’m about to do another purge of my clothing, so I believe the hanger count will come even further down. I’ll update y’all when I get to wardrobe. 🙂

Genre: Electronics

November 2017

March 2018

Triofit

1

iPhone Charger

1

Triofit Charger

1

Laptop

1

Extension Cord

1

Laptop Charger

1

iPhone Charger

1

iPad

1

Kindle

1

iPad Charger

1

Laptop

1

DVD Player

1

Laptop Charger

1

Router

1

iPad

1

Hair Dryer w/ Diffuser

1

iPad Charger

1

Curling Wand

1

DVD Player

1

Outlet Multiplier

1

Router

1

Fan

1

Heat pad

1

Lamps

4

Hair Dryer w/ Diffuser

1

Remotes

2

Curling Wand

2

Printer

1

CD-ROM Player for Laptop

1

Outlet Multiplier

1

Extension Cord

1

Mouse for Laptop

1

iPhone Case

2

Kindle Charger

1

Fan

1

Humidifier

1

Remotes

2

TOTAL:

27

TOTAL:

17

I was actually able to get rid of a lot here. My Triofit and charger were no longer necessary as we did away with the program at work. I’m pretty sure the numbers were always off as well, so keeping it as a Fitbit was pointless. I also chose to sell my Kindle as I really didn’t need both it and the iPad. I went back and forth on the decision a lot, since the Kindle didn’t have the harsh lights you’re supposed to avoid before bed. It came down to just being honest with myself: I don’t read in/before bed, and I’m not likely to start. I also got rid of my printer and humidifier, both were big eye sores that I just didn’t use.

Genre: Sentimental

November 2017

March 2018

Pocket Watch

1

Pocket Watch

1

Journals

4

Journals

2

Snowglobe

1

Snowglobe

1

Photo Albums

3

Photo Albums

2

Bibles

3

Bibles

3

Stuffed Animal

1

Play/Drama Recordings on DVD

3

Play/Drama Recordings on DVD

3

Dad’s Pastoral Mantle

1

Dad’s Pastoral Mantle

1

Diploma & Degree (grouped in one display binder)

1

Diploma & Degree (grouped in one display binder)

1

Folder of Letters

1

TOTAL:

19

TOTAL:

15

I don’t really hang on to things for sentimental purposes. I have a small memory chest that I keep some things in, but if I’m being honest, I rarely-to-never look inside. This go around, I was able to get rid of a couple of things: the stuffed animal my dad brought home to little-kid-me from one of his trips, the folder of letters (too private to go in detail here) that now just hurt to read, and two of the photo albums I get negative vibes from (though I replaced one of them with an album of my travel photos). Oh, I also got rid of 2 of the journals by combining three into one. 🙂

Okay, this post is already getting too long and I’ve barely started. This is just a mere glimpse at the purge that has taken place. Hey, I’ll admit it! I’m a coward and did the easiest genres first. Still to come:

Cookware/Eating Utensils/Kitcheny Supply Things

Reusable Cleaning Supplies/Tools

Blankets/Pillows/Decor

Outside the House (my car and what’s in it, stuff at the office, and items in my purse)

Wardrobe

Miscellaneous (everything else)

But honestly, I just love how clean my home feels. I love not having clutter. I love being able to breath when I walk in.

It’s kind of funny; my mom always comments that when she comes to my apartment, she just wants to sleep. She’s not the only one who has commented on this. I truly believe the cozy atmosphere is because the lack of clutter frees up the mind to rest.